If you’re dreaming of a festive winter trip to Europe, especially during the holiday season, the Strasbourg Christmas Markets should definitely be at the top of your list.
As we were planning our epic European Christmas Market itinerary, we knew ‘the Capital of Christmas’ (Strasbourg) had to be on our list!
Stepping into Old Town Strasbourg in December is like stepping into a magical Christmas storybook, complete with millions of twinkling lights, medieval streets, vin chaud, and over 300 traditional wooden stalls.
As home to the oldest Christmas market in Europe, Strasbourg doesn’t just host one; it hosts multiple markets spread throughout the historic city center, each with its own food, shopping, and vibe!
When you combine that with all of the other things to do in Strasbourg, you know you are in for a treat!
We loved our time in Strasbourg and highly recommend adding it to your Christmas market itinerary.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Strasbourg Christmas Markets, including the best dates to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and a few fun insider tips.
Of course, this guide was created based on our own personal experience. With that in mind, we highly encourage you to visit their official website for the most up-to-date information on market dates and opening hours.
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Why Visit the Strasbourg Christmas Markets?
The Strasbourg Christmas Markets (Christkindelsmärik) date back to 1570, making them the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, and the city truly pulls out all the stops with twinkling lights everywhere and loads of fun, unique market experiences.
What we loved about the Strasbourg Christmas Markets:
- An authentic Christmas market experience
- Fairytale half-timbered architecture
- Amazing food, wine, and handcrafted gifts
- Easily walkable if staying in the old town area
- Beautifully decorated city
Pro Tip: Consider taking a Strasbourg city walking tour to get to know the city during your visit.
Strasbourg Christmas Markets Dates & Opening Times
The Strasbourg Christmas Markets typically open in late November and run until December 24, with limited markets remaining open after Christmas.
2025 dates and times:
- November 26 through December 24, 2025
- Daily opening hours: typically 11:30 am until 9:00 pm (there are a few exceptions to this)
Best time to visit:
- Late November to early December for fewer crowds
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
- Visiting during the day (before 3 pm) has fewer crowds (but don’t miss the markets at night)
- Evenings allow you to see the markets all lit up while also enjoying the festive vibes
Where Are the Strasbourg Christmas Markets Located?
The Strasbourg Christmas Markets are spread throughout the city, all within walking distance of one another.
Main Strasbourg Christmas Market Locations
Place Broglie- Christkindelsmärik
The Place Broglie market is the original and oldest of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets, and is where you will find the Weihnachtspyramiden (German Christmas Pyramid).
I loved that Place Broglie had such a large selection of handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, and unique souvenirs. Of course, there were numerous food and drink stands in this market.
Place Kléber – The Great Christmas Tree
Place Kléber is a must-visit, as this is where you will find Strasbourg’s iconic Christmas tree. Standing over 30 meters tall, the Strasbourg Christmas tree sparkles with over 7 km of lights.
In addition to the iconic tree, the Place Kléber market is brimming with delicious food and drink stalls, creating a fun, photogenic atmosphere.
Place de la Cathédrale
One of my favorite markets in Strasbourg was the Place de la Cathédrale market. The gorgeous Strasbourg Cathedral makes the perfect backdrop for this traditional market.
It is also here where I found my collectible Strasbourg Christmas market mug and had one of the best crepes I’ve ever tasted!
The Place de la Cathédrale market is especially magical after dark when the whole area comes alive with twinkling lights.
Petite France Christmas Market
The Petite France area of Strasbourg is like stepping into a fairytale. The beautiful canals are lined with historic half-timbered homes, making it romantic any time of year.
I especially loved that the market in Petite France was smaller and quieter, making it the perfect addition to our Strasbourg itinerary.
What to Eat at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Food is a major highlight of visiting a new area, and, in our opinion, one of the best things about the Christmas markets in Europe.
While there are loads of dishes to try, we especially loved sampling some regional specialties during our Christmas market trip.
Pro Tip: Share food so that you can try more things. The portions are pretty large, and you will fill up fast if you don’t share.
Must-Try Strasbourg Christmas Market Foods
Raclette & Tartiflette– Melted cheese served over potatoes and cured meats. Ideal on cold evenings.
Flammkucken (tarte flambée)– thin pizza topped with creme fraiche, delicately sliced onions, and ham
Alsatian Sausages– Often served in crusty bread with mustard or sauerkraut.
Kougelhopf– A traditional Alsatian cake you’ll see everywhere during the holidays.
Vin Chaud (Mulled Wine)– Try both red and Alsatian white wine vin chaud—a regional specialty
Bredele (Alsatian Christmas Cookies)– Traditional Christmas cookies sold by the bag—perfect edible souvenirs.
Crepes– thin French pancakes with various toppings (like cinnamon & sugar, Nutella, and more)
Pro Tip: To get a true taste of Strasbourg, consider booking a fun Strasbourg food tour!
What to Buy at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
If you’re looking for unique gifts or the perfect souvenir, the Strasbourg Christmas Markets have you covered.
These markets have everything from cozy winter gear to authentic handmade ornaments. We especially loved the star lanters and the beautiful Alsatian pottery and linens.
Of course, always try to buy locally crafted products. Some vendors sell cheap, important souvenirs; skip those and go for authentic, handmade products.
We felt like the Place Broglie market had the best selection of authentic products.
How to Get to Strasbourg
By Train
Strasbourg is extremely well-connected by rail to many major hubs, including Paris, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
The train station is about a 10-15 minute walk from the main Christmas markets.
By Plane
Strasbourg International Airport (SXB) is an easy train ride away from the city center.
Of course, as mentioned above, you can always fly into a major hub like Paris, Germany, or Switzerland, then take an easy train to Strasbourg.
By Car
If you are arriving by car, keep in mind that parking is extremely limited around the Christmas markets and many roads are closed to ensure visitor safety. Consider parking near the train station or in a public lot farther away, then walking to the markets.
Where to Stay for the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Accommodations book up early for the Christmas markets, so make your reservations as far in advance as possible.
We booked our accommodations in March, and even then, several accommodations were already sold out.
We found an Airbnb in the Old Town area, just a few blocks from the Cathedral market. We found this area to be wonderfully walkable and safe.
Best Areas to Stay
- Grand Ile- Walk to all of the Christmas Markets
- Petite France- romantic and picturesque
- Near the Train Station- more affordable but still walkable
Best Hotels Near the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Strasbourg Christmas Market Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Bring cash- some stalls don’t accept cards, and if they do, most have a minimum spend
- Visit markets early afternoon to avoid crowds
- Dress warmly (layers and waterproof shoes). Check out our Europe in winter packing list!
- Keep your mulled wine mug or cup as a fun souvenir, or return it to get your deposit back
- Explore multiple markets instead of staying in one spot
Mugs at the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
Mugs are a big deal at the European Christmas Markets, and for good reason. These cute, festive gems make the perfect souvenir. I loved collecting the mugs and came home with one from every city we visited during our trip.
If you aren’t familiar with how the mugs work, here’s a quick overview:
When you get a drink at the Christmas market, they typically come in a festive, unique mug (like the one pictured here). Each market has its own design, and some markets even have multiple mugs to choose from, like the Frankfurt Christmas Markets.
You pay a deposit for the mug with your drink order. Then, when you return the mug, you get your money back. Most people opt to keep the mug as a cheap, festive souvenir.
It is important to note that many places outside Germany (France and Belgium) serve drinks in reusable plastic cups. Like the mugs, you pay a small deposit for the cup and get your money back when you return it.
During our time in Strasbourg, we found a mixture of plastic cups and mugs. The majority of vendors served the plastic cups (pictured here), but if you know where to look, you can also find the mugs.
The cute bulb-shaped mug that I brought home can be found at the Cathedral market. If you’re facing the cathedral, it was in the second row, on the far right. Just note that these sell out quickly, so the earlier in the season you visit, the more likely you are to find the mug.
We also found a festive dark blue mug at the Grand Spin market, but I didn’t like this design as much, so I didn’t purchase it.
Are the Strasbourg Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?
Without question–YES! The Strasbourg Christmas Markets offer a festive, authentic Christmas Market experience. From the historic setting to the festive food and drink offerings, Strasbourg is a destination that truly lives up to the hype.
Our Final Thoughts on the Strasbourg Markets
I am so glad we included 3 days in Strasbourg on our trip. This allowed us plenty of time to tour all of the markets both during the day and at night, and to see some of the other things to do in Strasbourg.
Not only that, but I could easily see how staying longer in Strasbourg would make it a great hub for exploring other towns in the Alsace region or for day trips from Strasbourg.
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Michelle Snell– Founder/Writer
Michelle is a Texas-based travel creator who has spent years exploring Texas, Europe, Mexico, and destinations across the U.S. She shares thoughtful, experience-based travel guides focused on great scenery, good food, and easy, enjoyable trips.
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks and explore the section on this website, Why Trust Us?